A person has three choices in life. You can swim against the tide and get exhausted, or you can tread water and let the tide sweep you away, or you can swim with the tide, and let it take you where it wants you to go.
quote by Andrew Schneider

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Related quotes

My Boy Jack
1914-1918
'Have you news of my boy Jack?'
Not this tide.
'When d'you think that he'll come back?'
Not with this wind blowing, and this tide.
'Has anyone else had word of him?'
Not this tide.
For what is sunk will hardly swim,
Not with this wind blowing and this tide.
'Oh, dear, what comfort can I find?'
None this tide,
Nor any tide,
Except he did not shame his kind-
Not even with that wind blowing, and that tide.
Then hold your head up all the more,
This tide,
And every tide;
Because he was the son you bore,
And gave to that wind blowing and that tide!
poem by Rudyard Kipling

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Have You News of my Boy Jack?
'Have you news of my boy Jack?'
Not this tide.
'When d'you think that he'll come back?'
Not with this wind blowing, and this tide.
'Has anyone else had word of him?'
Not this tide.
For what is sunk will hardly swim,
Not with this wind blowing and this tide.
'Oh, dear, what comfort can I find?'
None this tide,
Nor any tide,
Except he did not shame his kind-
Not even with that wind blowing, and that tide.
Then hold your head up all the more,
This tide,
And every tide;
Because he was the son you bore,
And gave to that wind blowing and that tide!
poem by Rudyard Kipling

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Fish Out Of Water
You always said you were the compassionate one
But now you're laughing at the sun
With all your high class friends you think you've got it made
The only thing you made was that tanned look on your face
With all your cigarettes and fancy cars
You ain't a clue who or what you are
You're dreaming your life away
Fish out of water
Go swim in the tide today
Fish out of water
We used to sit and talk about primal scream
To exorsice our past was our adolescent dream
But now it's sink or swim since your memory fails
Now in Neptune's kitchen you will be food for killer whales
And on the crucifix his mother made
Hangs one more martyr to the hit parade
You're dreaming you're life away
Fish out of water
Go swim in the tide today
Fish out of water
You're dreaming you're life away
Fish out of water
Go swim in the tide today
Fish out of water
song performed by by Tears For Fears from Elemental

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Dont Cross The River
Theres a little girl out lyin on her own
Shes got a broken heart
Shes not the kind to take you down for long
She knows and plays it smart
(ah--) and if shes comin shes showed no mark
Shes heard no whistle blowin from the dark
She feels like leavin and she dont know why
Without no bridges shes trapped, so I sigh
Dont cross the river if you cant swim the tide
Dont try denyin livin on the other side
All your life
You were on your own
If you want you can ride my train
And soon forget the reason that youre leaving
Youll lose yourself and then sometime
Maybe even save yourself some grievin
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Dont cross the river if you cant swim the tide
Dont try denyin livin on the other side
Dont cross the river if you cant swim the tide
Dont try denyin livin on the other side
Dont cross the river if you cant swim the tide
Dont cross the river if you cant swim the tide
Dont cross the river if you cant swim the tide ...
song performed by by America

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When It's Cold I'd Like To Die
Where were you when I was lonesome?
Locked away with freezing cold
Someone flying only stolen
I can't tell this light so old
[Refrain:]
I don't want to swim the ocean
I don't want to fight the tide
I don't want to swim forever
When it's cold I'd like to die
What was that my sweet sweet nothing?
I can't hear you through the fog
If I holler let me go
If I falter let me know
[Refrain]
I don't want to swim forever
I don't want to fight the tide
I don't want to swim the ocean
When it's cold I'd like to die
I don't want to swim the ocean
I don't want to figh the tide
song performed by by Moby from Everything Is Wrong

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To parents
Come back, swim back… I need you…
When I stood a child upon the seashore
waving through the tears as first
the one and then the other
was taken by the tide until
no longer visible in that dark sea
too vasty to be thought about…
then turned, and ran back up the beach
to meet and greet my life..
that was, as it was; but now
I run back to the water’s edge
shouting come back... I never knew you,
I’m grown up now, I want to meet you,
ask you all the things I never asked,
tell you all the things I never dared,
look you in your fierce, sad eyes…
come back, swim back, I need you,
for I’m grown up now; I can love you
without restraint; give love not ask for it…
or must I wait, until the tide
laps feet, then knees, then heart, then sight…
to join you in that dark unknownness which
may be, may be, an even greater love
than that which stands here at the water’s edge
as the evening water darkens,
shouting swim back, swim back…
poem by Michael Shepherd

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One, Two, No Free Ride.
One, two, their no such thing as free ride. So im just going with the tide. Just so i can swim back again. So many victims of circumstance and happenstance. Excuse me I'm just looking to get by. Women come and go. Nothing ever sticks. Guilt is just a heavy bag of bricks. I throw them to ground and keep moving on. One, two, their no such thing as a free ride. So I'm just going with the tide. Just so i can swim back again. Where is the need for forgiveness if we just live and let live. Every day I cross that bridge. One by one the planks go missing. And the only way back is gone. No time to regret or fret. Just build another. Its a system. you can work with or against it. But who even cares. One, two, their no such thing as free ride. So I'm just going with the tide. Just so i can swim back again. Money burns like you smoking them as cigarettes. The house you live in will be pillage and plundered in the event of your death. Makes you wonder. What is it all for. Well of course its because life is so very precious.
poem by Ace Of Black Hearts

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Siren Of The Sea
Sea-
When the tide comes in
I will walk upon two feet
I will wander through the shallow waters
So we two can meet
When the tide goes out
I will join it in the sea
When the waves crash against the shore
Look upon them and remember me
Land-
I shall not walk upon the land
But I shall sing to you from the sea
The tune of the ocean
In such fluid melody
So jump into the water
And take me by the hand
Walk with me through the sea
For I cannot bear the land
Swim-
Walk into the waters
For that is where you will find me
Bathe with me in the ocean
And swim with me through the sea
For there you will always find me
The sea is my song
I will sing it to you as we swim
For this is where we belong
Walk-
I shall not walk upon dry land
Though two feet could be mine
My fins are what I am accustom to
And they suit me just fine
I will not walk upon dry land
For there I cannot be
So delve into the ocean
And you may swim with me
poem by Tatianna Rei Moonshadow

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When Its Cold Id Like To Die
Where were you when I was lonesome
Locked away in this freezing cold
Someone flying, only stolen,
I cant tell, this nights so old,
I dont wanna swim the ocean,
I dont wanna fight the tide,
I dont wanna swim forever,
When its cold Id like to die.
What was that, my sweet sweet nothing
I cant hear you throught the fog
If I holler let me go
If I falter let me know
I dont wanna swim the ocean,
I dont wanna fight the tide,
I dont wanna swim forever,
When its cold Id like to die.
I dont wanna swim forever,
I dont wanna fight the tide,
I dont wanna swim the ocean,
When its cold Id like to die.
song performed by by Moby

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Youll Still Be Needing Me
If I had my way, I would say its over darling
If I could be brave, I would say Im leaving you
But I must stay on till all hope is gone
cause girl I know
Anywhere you go
Youll still be needing me
If you feel you cant make it on your own my darling
Ill be on your side when you cant find anyone
But for now lets try just to get by
Let the tide roll out
Let the tide roll in
Its time to sink or swim
La-la-la-la-la, lala-la-la-lalalala
La-la-la-la-la, lala-la-la-lalalala
If I could be strong, Id be gone tomorrow morning
Still I play the part making life a broken toy
But I must stay on
till all hope is gone
cause girl I know
Anywhere you go
Youll still be needing me
Let the tide roll out
Let the tide roll in
Its time to sink or swim
La-la-la-la-la, lala-la-la-lalalala
La-la-la-la-la, lala-la-la-lalalala
song performed by by Gordon Lightfoot

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Working Metaphore
Work is like an island in an ocean of time
Landing on this shore felt like paradise
But the island is small and quickly grows boring
I am standing in the water, looking out as I work
Time passes in portions of half an hour
Wave upon wave of life slipping down the tide-line
I am deciding whether to let go and wash away with it
Or hold on and climb the beach again
How many islands are in this ocean?
I gaze out and see a few just waiting for me
Can I swim to them, will they take me?
In the water between them, is there love lurking?
Changes are on the horizon, as a tsunami
Rolling towards this island invisibly, towards me
None of the islands will survive it, I fear
Or maybe only I will be washed away into oblivion
Tick, splash, tick, splash, wave upon wave of half hours
Carrying me just a little further from the dry sand
Behind me, the managers are calling from the trees
I hesitate for a moment, and let the waves wash over me
Only a few more, and I can swim for a while,
I might ride the changes to a far away place if I'm swimming
In the water I can meet another, to drown my regrets of the last
The waves wash over me, and I wait for the tide to swim
poem by Poet Dragon

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Just As The Tide Was A Flowing
[ music: traditional/lyric: arranged by 10,000 maniacs ]
On one morning
In the month of may
When all the birds
Were singing
I saw a lovely maiden stray
Across the fields at break of day
She softly sung her roundelay
The tide flows in
The tide flows out
Twice every day returning
Her cheeks were red
Her eyes were brown
Her hair in ringlets hanging down
Upon her face to hide the frown
Just as the tide was a flowing
The tide flows in
The tide flows out
Twice everyday returning
A sailors wife at home must bide
She halted heavily she sighed
He parted from poor me , a bride
Im widowed by the sea she cried
Just as the tide was a flowing
The tide flows in
The tide flows out
Twice every day returning
song performed by by 10000 Maniacs

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Embalmed
Those who swim in cool clean water.
Do they swim in ephemeral water?
For love of glistening sparkling water?
Or from listless loveless loneliness?
Is body immersed to forget or renew?
Body offering taken out upon tide.
Freedom embroiled foam promise
never quite becomes regenerative true.
Swim in primeval womb in darkness.
Sense deprivation absolute
craved by encumbered few.
Offering taken out upon tidal rip
clothed in dark twinkling star garment
absorbed in keen yearning for heaven
before cast back to land life duties.
Angels watch over heaven bound
marvel at souls cast down to rise.
poem by Terence George Craddock

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The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls
The tide rises, the tide falls,
The twilight darkens, the curlew calls;
Along the sea-sands damp and brown
The traveller hastens toward the town,
And the tide rises, the tide falls.
Darkness settles on roofs and walls,
But the sea, the sea in the darkness calls;
The little waves, with their soft, white hands,
Efface the footprints in the sands,
And the tide rises, the tide falls.
The morning breaks; the steeds in their stalls
Stamp and neigh, as the hostler calls;
The day returns, but nevermore
Returns the traveller to the shore,
And the tide rises, the tide falls.
poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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Tide Rises, the Tide Falls, The
The tide rises, the tide falls,
The twilight darkens, the curlew calls;
Along the sea-sands damp and brown
The traveler hastens toward the town,
And the tide rises, the tide falls.
Darkness settles on roofs and walls,
But the sea, the sea in darkness calls;
The little waves, with their soft, white hands
Efface the footprints in the sands,
And the tide rises, the tide falls.
The morning breaks; the steeds in their stalls
Stamp and neigh, as the hostler calls;
The day returns, but nevermore
Returns the traveler to the shore.
And the tide rises, the tide falls.
poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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Ultima Thule: The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls
The tide rises, the tide falls,
The twilight darkens, the curlew calls;
Along the sea-sands damp and brown
The traveller hastens toward the town,
And the tide rises, the tide falls.
Darkness settles on roofs and walls,
But the sea, the sea in the darkness calls;
The little waves, with their soft, white hands,
Efface the footprints in the sands,
And the tide rises, the tide falls.
The morning breaks; the steeds in their stalls
Stamp and neigh, as the hostler calls;
The day returns, but nevermore
Returns the traveller to the shore,
And the tide rises, the tide falls.
poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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The Tide Is Turning
I used to think the world was flat
Rarely threw my hat into the crowd
I felt I had used up my quota of yearning
Used to look in on the children at night
In the glow of their donald duck light
And I frighten myself with the thought of my little ones burning
Oh, oh, oh, the tide is turning
Oh, oh, oh, the tide is turning
Satellites buzzing through the endless night
Exclusive to moonshots and world title fights
Jesus christ, imagine what it must be earning
Who is the strongest
Who is the best
Who holds the aces
The east
Or the west
This is the crap our children are learning
And oh, oh, the tide is turning
Oh, oh, the tide is turning
Oh, oh, oh, the tide is turning
Oh, oh, oh, the tide is turning
Oh, oh, oh, the tide is turning
Now the satellites confused
cos on saturday night
The airwaves were full of compassion and light
And his silicon heart warmed
To the sight of a billion candles burning
But, Im not saying that the battle is won
But on saturday night all those kids in the sun
Wrested technologys sword from the hand of the war lords
Oh, the tide is turning
Oh, the tide is turning
Oh, the tide is turning
Oh, the tide is turning
(repeated)
song performed by by Cyndi Lauper

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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On The Shoreline
Released as b-side of I cant dance single, 1991.
Well theres a place where two worlds collide
The pile of stone against the pull of the tide
You can stay with your feet on the ground
Or step into the water, leave the dry behind
On the shoreline
Meet me on the shoreline
Where you can only swim if you try
Well, if theres somewhere on the other side
It might be better, it might be as bad
Someday soon youll have to make a move
Cos you cant stay forever, ah just waiting
On the shoreline (on the shoreline)
Meet me on the shoreline (on the shoreline)
Take me over, lead me through
Well can you take me there, to the other side
Where everything is new, uncertain and strange
Dont ever let me go till were there
I dont know what it is Im looking for
And until its found I wont be sure...
Well, there are squares in the game of life
When you can keep on moving or turn aside
Yes, there are times when you have to decide
To put your feet in the water, or stay
On the shoreline (on the shoreline)
Meet me on the shoreline (on the shoreline)
Where you can only swim if you try
Ill be there - oh
On the shoreline (on the shoreline)
Ill be there on the shoreline (on the shoreline)
Where you can only swim if you try
Ill be there
Ill be there - oh
Yes, Ill be there
Ill be there...
song performed by by Genesis

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Tide of emotions
Water is safe
Its a safe haven
For me.
As water washes over.
It can wash away a few
Of my daily struggles.
If only for a while.
In the sea
Along come the waves
In with the tide.
As the tide goes back out
So do my emotions.
Only now the tide
Is coming back in
Following are my emotions
Which I desperatly
Try to lose.
The tide is good
When it is out
Its good for me
Only when it comes back in
Back come my emotions.
Like a storm at sea.
Amy Kerswell
poem by Amy Louise Kerswell

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Swim Baby Swim
Swim baby swim through the waters blue
It’s the first thing a human can do
Swim honey swim the beauty surface strokes
Swim the deepest bottom glow
Swim the exists of the drop
Swim the serpent river curves
Swim the stillness of the lake
Swim the murmurs of the springs
poem by Miroslava Odalovic

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